Diverse, Interactive, Educational - Plane History

A commemoration and celebration of the history of
the Penhold military base
 
Harvard Historical Aviation Society
 
403-886-5711
hhac@penholdbase.com
 

 
More Recent Springbrook and Area News
July 2007

July 27, 2007
Penhold Rezones Land for Industrial Use
Originally expected to take two months to make a decision, Penhold town council has rezoned 114 acres on the west side of town to industrial. Residents in the area have some concerns about what will happen close to their homes and to the wetland nearby. Prior to development, an area structure plan will need to be submitted by the developer and approved by council. Development is expected to begin in February and will include widening of Secondary Highway 592. Council has maintained that industrial development is essential for the sustainability of the town.
Garbage Gasification Commission Officially Approved
The provincial government has officially approved the formation of the Central Waste Management Commission which was formed to develop a plant to turn garbage into gas and energy. The commission, chaired by Red Deer County reeve Earl Kinsella, is made up of 15 Central Alberta municipalities including the city of Red Deer, Red Deer County, Penhold, Innisfail, Sylvan Lake and Bowden.

July 25, 2007
County Councillors Seeking Re-election, One Drops Out
The current Red Deer County councillor for Division 7, Ken Van Dewark, has decided not to run for re-election in the October municipal elections. The current Division 7 includes Springbrook and the area west and southwest of Red Deer. However with division boundary changes, Springbrook will become part of the new Division 3. The current councillor for Division 3, Penny Archibald, has decided to seek re-election. The new Division 3 will include Springbrook and the area south to Innisfail. Also running again are Jim Lougheed in Division 5, the area around Spruce View and Markerville, and Jim Wood in Division 1, the area between Delburne and Elnora. Earl Kinsella, reeve and councillor for Division 4, the area south of Innisfail, is running for the new elected mayor position. Stan Bell of Division 6 (currently south of Sylvan Lake) and Reimar Poth of Division 2 (currently east of Red Deer) are still weighing their options. Division 7 has been eliminated with the new division restructuring.
 
July 18, 2007
Red Deer County Endorses Springbrook-Penhold Trail
Three recreational trails received preliminary approval by Red Deer County council Tuesday, including a 3.6 km trail between Springbrook and Penhold, the first segment of the TransCanada Trail under county jurisdiction. It would eventually be extended north to connect with Red Deer and Lacombe County and south to Innisfail. Negotiation with affected landowners and interested stakeholders will occur during August and September. Project plans were developed by the Urban Lab division of the University of Calgary. If rights-of-way can be purchased, construction could begin next year. The other trails approved were a 6.8 km trail between Spruce View and Dickson and a 1 km trail with access to the Red Deer River at the west end of Glennifer Lake.
New Theatre Expected to Open in October
The new $10 million 10-screen 2,000-seat theatre complex, currently under construction in Gasoline Alley south of Red Deer, is expected to open in late October. Landmark Cinemas received Red Deer County council approval to modify its original exterior design due to rising construction costs. The complex will feature curved screens, stadium seating with high-backed chairs, digital sound, an arcade area, hot food counters, party rooms and self-serve ticket dispensers. Theatres will range between 100 and 200 seats.
 
July 17, 2007
Councillor Suggests That Airport Has Been Snubbed
Red Deer councillor Larry Pimm reported to city council that the Red Deer Regional Airport is the only airport in Alberta that hasn't received funding from the federal and provincial governments in spite of the proven need and efforts taken to upgrade the airport. Airports that have received funds ranging from $755,000 to $14 million include Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lloydminster, High Level, Peace River, Rainbow Lake and Fort Chipewyan.
 
July 13, 2007
Kinsella to Run for County's First Mayor
Earl Kinsella, current reeve of Red Deer County, has announced that he will run for the county's first elected mayor in the municipal elections this October. In previous elections, the reeve was chosen from among the councillors elected in the county's seven districts. This is the first year that the top position is elected at large and is referred to as mayor. The number of divisions has been reduced from 7 to 6 and the boundaries redrawn.
 
July 10, 2007
Springbrook Hosts Annual Summer Cadet Training
More than 740 air cadets aged 12 to 18 from across Canada have arrived at the Penhold Air Cadet Summer Training Centre in Springbrook, location of former CFB Penhold. The cadets can take one of seven training courses: basic training (3 courses of 2 weeks each), introduction to leadership, introduction to instruction, physical education and recreation training, introduction to rifle coach, basic music course (all 2 courses of 3 weeks each) and music level 1 to 5 (6 weeks). More than half take the basic training which includes familiarization flying with a 15 minute flight over the area. Prior to the cadets arriving, 140 cadet staff went through a one-week training period. The annual camp began in 1966.
Penhold Industrial Park Delayed
Penhold council has postponed the rezoning of 114 acres on the town's west side from urban reserve to industrial in order to get more information on the project. Several residents have opposed the rezoning due to the proximity to residences and a major wetland that is the habitant for several animal and bird species. The matter is expected to go back to council in two months.
 
July 5, 2007
County and City Approve New Intermunicipal Development Plan
After a joint public hearing and open house today, both the City of Red Deer and Red Deer County gave second and third reading to the new Intermunicipal Development Plan. Features of the plan include the future growth areas for the city to the north, east and west, the county growth areas of Gasoline Alley/Liberty Crossing and Springbrook/airport, no-growth zone between Gasoline Alley and Springbrook, an annual review process, dispute resolution process and co-operative development. The document represents the end of several disputes between the two municipalities over the past two years.

 

July 4, 2007
County Contributes to Penhold Splash Park
Red Deer County has contributed $25,000 toward the $320,000 splash park being developed by the Town of Penhold at a site next to Jessie Duncan Elementary School. The new facility that will include fountains, sprayers and geysers, is expected to be open by mid-August. It is anticipated that the park will provide entertainment and social interaction for youth and families of both Penhold and Springbrook.
County Boosting Utility Rates
Water, sewer and garbage rates are increasing in Springbrook and other areas starting with the October billing. The base service charge and consumption for water will increase 5%. Sewer charges will increase 10% in Springbrook and Gasoline Alley in order to recover a larger portion of charges from the Waskasoo Regional Services Board. The garbage rate will increase to $7.50 from $6.70.
 
July 3, 2007
County Drive Self-Guided Tour Set
The Central Alberta Country Drive '07 self-guided rural tour is set for the weekend of July 14-15. Nineteen attractions this year include DNA Gardens, Eagle Creek Flowers & Bowden Sun Maze, Ellis Bird Farm, Gisler Boer Goatz, the Jungle Farm, Red Lodge Ornamental, Danish Canadian National Museum & Garden, Dickson Store Museum, Double Tree Village Museum, Edgar Farms, Gammel House Gallery, Glenn's Family Restaurant, Historic Markerville Creamery, Innisfail Historical Village, Parkland Garden Centre, Pearson's Berry Farm, Rolyn Hills B & B and Guest Ranch, White Treasure Farm and Wolf's Botanical. Admission to all sites is free.

 
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